Raspberry Fool

Raspberry fool is a simple Irish dessert that’s made from just three ingredients—raspberries, sugar, and heavy cream—but is impressive as heck, whether for a quick weeknight sweet or a dinner party dessert.

We’ve no idea where the name “fool” comes from in regards to this dessert. Because there’s nothing foolish about conjuring a conversation-stopping dessert from just three ingredients. Nothing foolish at all. When raspberry season is nigh, by all means, use uber fresh raspberries, though it’s just as spectacular when made with frozen berries. Originally published March 16, 2010.–Renee Schettler Rossi

Raspberry Fool

Ingredients

1 pound raspberries (fresh or frozen)

1/2 to 1 cup superfine sugar (or just blitz granulated sugar in a blender until finely ground but not powdery)

2 cups whipped cream

Directions

1. Spread the raspberries in a single layer in a shallow dish or small baking dish, sprinkle with the sugar, and set aside for 1 hour. (If you’re using frozen raspberries, this should be ample time for them to defrost.)

2. Transfer the berries and any liquid and undissolved sugar to a blender and purée. Then dump the mixture in a strainer set over a bowl and press with the back of a spoon to capture and then discard the seeds.

3. Gently fold the whipped cream into the strained raspberry purée, stirring just ever so slightly if you wish to create a “swirly” effect. The fool is now ready to be served or can be stuck in the fridge and served several hours later.

Recipe Testers Reviews

This is a great throw-together dessert. It’s simple to make and calls for only a few ingredients. I like that you can use either fresh or frozen fruit, so you can make this recipe any time of year and the results will be the same. It’s very versatile and almost impossible to mess up. The key is in the mixing: If you want those pretty swirls of fruit purée, do not overmix. I’d even suggest using a knife to swirl as you would a marble cake. I served it in dessert bowls the first time I made it. The next time I layered it with pound cake topped with more fruit purée. It makes a very pretty dessert that way.

Then tell us. Have a picture you'd like to add to your comment? Send it along. Covet one of those spiffy pictures of yourself to go along with your comment? Get a free Gravatar. And as always, please take a gander at our comment policy before posting.